Throughout its long history in China, woodblock printing has been in an important position – as a handicraft manufacture, but also as a folk art that requires precision in tracing, carving and alignment in printing. Gao Juwen, a man in his 70s from east China’s Shandong Province, puts half a century’s life on this craft. /VCG Photo

Gao is the third generation craftsman of Qingdao Tongshengfang woodblock prints. He focuses on replicating works of ancient Chinese painters. More than 200 copies of the scattered paintings in the ancient books have been resurrected by his hands. /VCG Photo

Various tools including chisels, hammers, gouges and burins allow him to make different types of marks in the wood. After the tedious carving process which needs more than 100,000 knife carvings on average, basic printing with ink and old-tradition hand coloring are required to complete the work. /VCG Photo

Gao has five apprentices now and he has also passed down his skill to his daughter and granddaughter. With the help of government staff, his prints are going to be listed as part of the municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage project. /VCG Photo

Gao feels proud to be one of the oldest "warriors" fighting the battle to protect woodblock printing from disappearing. /VCG Photo